Natural Selection? Gatorade...Really?

When considering the venerable and ubiquitous Gatorade, many adjectives come to mind: cooling, hydrating, and satisfying to name a few. However, natural is not a word that I instinctively associate with this thirst-quenching product that most closely resembles antifreeze. I never faulted Gatorade for being anything less than it purported to be (an expeditious way to replenish lost fluids and salt to a fatigued and dehydrated body), so the concept of Gatorade Natural struck me as more or less unnecessary.

Most Popular

But in a response to the growing natural foods sector, Gatorade has gone "natural" with a new line of Gatorade Natural. Largely aimed at the athletic market, Gatorade Natural is part of their Perform series of drinks intended to be consumed while you are working your tail off running, climbing, spelunking, or trying to contain a large-scale oil spill. The idea, as with virtually all Gatorade drinks and products, is that the drink does two essential jobs: replenishes fluids as well as electrolytes to hard working athletes.

The main difference between this "natural" Gatorade and the original is that version does not have high fructose corn syrup, nor does it hold that otherworldly glow that so identified the original. Instead Gatorade Natural Orange Citrus is moderately sweet and the color of severely diluted orange juice. But with sucrose, dextrose (both naturally occurring, but highly processed forms of sugar), citric acid, sea salts and natural flavor to round out the ingredients (no fruit juice to speak of), I wouldn't exactly deem it a "natural drink" (as we have learned, "natural flavors" are a very loose designate). However, this more "natural" version is likable enough (if you are a dehydrated athlete in 95 degree weather), and likely preferable (as far as ingredients and additives) to the original version.

Gatorade Natural Orange Citrus also comes in a G2 low calorie Berry flavor (both come in 16.9-ounce bottles for $1.49) and are being sold exclusively at Whole Foods Markets.